First Love, True Service

A steady flame that burns from within, a picture of first love fueling true service

Devotional Credit: Open Windows by T. Austin-Sparks
Photo Credit: Unsplash

2 Corinthians 5:14 says the love of Christ compels us. Romans 5:5 says the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Today’s reading from T. Austin-Sparks is a kind nudge back to the center. Real service does not start with duty or titles. It starts with a heart captured by Jesus. Where love leads, serving follows.

He reminds us that you can do many church shaped things and still cool on the inside. The church at Ephesus had activity and endurance, yet Jesus said they had left their first love. That line lands with clarity. Lamps shine because oil burns within. Programs, plans, and platforms cannot keep a lamp lit. Love does.

This is not about loud emotion. It is about a Person. When Jesus is in view, our work takes on a different tone. We stop proving ourselves and begin responding to Him. The Spirit makes this personal. He keeps bringing us back to the Son of God, the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. In that nearness, labor becomes joy, and endurance becomes possible.

So here is the invitation for a busy Wednesday. Return to the center. Let the love of Jesus be the why and the how. Thank Him that no human stamp can make you a servant, and no lack of applause can unmake you. Love sustains the long road. Where His love fills the heart, hands find work to do and do it with a quiet smile.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I pour the love of God into your heart. The love of Christ compels you. I set your eyes on Jesus, and I anchor you in first love. Remember from where you have fallen, return to the first works that flow from love, and walk with Me. Your faith works through love. Your labor of love and steadfast hope are seen by the Father.

I root and ground you in love so that you know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ. I strengthen you in the inner person. I teach you to abide in My love and to keep My commandments from that place. Above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

I lead you to serve without fear. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Let all that you do be done in love. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, that you have love for one another. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Consider Him who endured. Rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory as you love Him whom you have not seen.

Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. I am faithful to complete the good work. Walk by the Spirit. Abide, and your fruit will remain.

Scripture references: Romans 5:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Revelation 2:4 to 5, Galatians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Ephesians 3:16 to 19, John 15:9 to 12, Colossians 3:14, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 16:14, John 13:34 to 35, Hebrews 12:2 to 3, 1 Peter 1:8, Romans 8:35 to 39, Jude 21, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 1:6, Galatians 5:16, John 15:4 to 5.

Real-Life Analogy
Think about a wireless charger on the nightstand. When the phone rests in the right place, power flows. When it slides off center, the battery keeps draining even while it sits there. Centering on the love of Jesus works like that. The Holy Spirit draws our hearts back to the true center. From that connection, His life flows into words, decisions, and service without white knuckles or self push.

Try this today. Before you enter a meeting or answer that text, pause for five seconds and set your heart back on the Lord. Say, Lord, I trust You to center me in Your love and to serve through me in this next step. Then move forward expecting the Spirit of Jesus to show up in patience, honesty, and quiet courage.

Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that the love of Your Son holds me. Thank You for pouring Your love into my heart by the Holy Spirit. I receive this day as a place to serve from love, not to earn love. I gladly count on union with Jesus for both motive and power. Lord, I trust You to keep first love bright and to express Your life through me in every conversation and task.